We appreciate the outpouring of support we have received from our community during this difficult time. So many of you have reached out to offer condolences and see how you can help our efforts in protecting elephants as they continue to be impacted by Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV).
The passing of Beco was heartbreaking for our teams that cared for him for so many years, and for all of our guests who came to know him. The zoo and the scientific community are still learning about this virus, and we take some comfort in knowing that Beco’s legacy will live on as we apply what was learned to save the lives of other elephants.
Knowing EEHV is a devastating and unpredictable virus, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium began work earlier this year to create an EEHV lab at our site, and we anticipate that lab to be operational very soon. With this lab, our Animal Health team can run in-house diagnostics and get results immediately to monitor the elephant herd.
In addition, the Columbus Zoo’s state-of-the-art lab will be part of the multi-collaborative research effort with other zoos to learn more about EEHV and ultimately find a vaccine. As we recently experienced, our colleagues across the country – zoo professionals and scientists – rallied to support us in our time of need. We want our EEHV lab to be a resource to help them should they find themselves in the position of having to try to save one of the elephants in their care.
We have created the “In Memory of Beco” fund in response to the many inquiries about how you can help. If you feel moved to contribute to this fund, rest assured that every dollar will be used to support our efforts to learn more about this deadly virus, and to protect our herd.
You can visit our “In Memory of Beco” fund page here.
While the global elephant community continues to learn more about EEHV, one thing we know for certain is that it will take a multi-institutional, collaborative effort to pursue a vaccine that will help save elephants in zoos and in their native range.
For more information about EEHV, please visit our FAQs.
